With the target market I well select a area like puzzle games and download the
top selling games in that area (about 10 and play them all). To locate these top
games I use Games Sales Charts to track the top games. Also I will track down
articles related to development of the games in the target market. Another
important step is to look at other developers who have entered games into the
target market to gauge results. You should target a broad market or a niche
market. A board market would be a match 3 game and a niche game would be a
turn based world war 2 strategy game with realistic combat statistics.

Main points.
  • Target a market like puzzle games
  • Target a game play pattern like match 3
  • Acquire data and the most successful games of the target market
  • Acquire data on production times for targeted games
  • Predict potential return rate vs time input + costs
  • Primary resource links use by Silkjade (plus google search ;) )

http://www.gameproducer.net/category/sales-statistics/

http://www.game-sales-charts.com/cms/index.php
Target Market
Markets needs
Market Trends
Its important to follow market trends for board market games like a match 3. For
niche games its important to get to know who plays these games and why.
Tracking market trends is basically looking at what is hot in the market place.
Niches are something we are planing to target in the next 6 months with 1
product.

Main Points
  • Do you want to follow a trend
  • What trends can you spot in the indie market
  • What long term trends can you spot in all markets
Marketing needs is when you focus on what you think is a need in the market.
For example at Silkjade I feel there might be a need for some fresh simple
strategy games. Also maybe there could be a need for a cool R-Type game?
Get to know what people might want to revisit again like space invaders or
pac-man with a twist.